OMO VALLEY

The Omo Valley is mainly dominated by many ethnic groups who speak Omotic language. The region along with its people is one of the least affected areas by the modern world. The life style of the people has hardly changed for centuries. People still live in simple to make shift huts, dress animal skins and drink with calabashes. The area is a veritable paradise for photographers and naturalists. The people of the Omo Valley and their culture have long been a source of fascination for travelers. The Hammer, who are well known for their sense of elegance, are one of the major ethnic groups in the region. The Surma and Mursi women, who wear lip plates by piercing their lower lip, have been compelling tourists to travel to their land to see what seems to be impossible.

Festivals

Christmas is also one of the biggest ceremonies which fall on 7 January.The celebration of Timket or Epiphany, on the 19 January is probably the biggest festival of the year. On the eve of Timket, with great ceremony the sacred tabot (the replica of the ark of the covenant) is taken from each church by the priests up to the central area where the ceremony twill take place.